Device for adjusting automobile side view mirror

ABSTRACT

A device for adjusting a side view mirror has an auxiliary mirror arranged on the side view mirror and having a reflective surface inclined relative to the reflective surface of the side view mirror so that when the driver sees an image of a target on the automobile body the line of sight of a driver looking in the side view mirror is directed toward a required blind spot area near the automobile.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting automobile sideview mirrors.

The driver of a motor vehicle needs to monitor the traffic in the rearof his vehicle travelling in his direction. As a rule a vehicle 1 shownin FIG. 1 is provided with two mirrors for this purpose. A rear viewmirror 2 is mounted inside the vehicle in front above and slightly tothe right of a driver 3. A side view mirror 4 is mounted outside thevehicle in front and slightly to the left of the driver. The properadjustment of the rear view mirror to present to the driver a full viewof the road and the traffic behind him presents as a rule no problem.However, the view offered by this rear view mirror within the angle αdoes not include a portion of the left lane and the area to the left andimmediately behind the vehicle 1 within an angle β. This is a well known"blind spot". The importance of being able to visualize a car 5 or anobstacle located in the blind spot is well known.

The proper adjustment or aiming of the side view mirror 4 is as a rule asubjective procedure and presents certain difficulties to some drivers.Some car manufacturers recommend to adjust a side view mirror to thecenter of an adjacent lane of traffic with a slight overlap of the viewobtained in the inside mirror. The procedure which is commonly used foradjusting the side view mirror without an object in the blind spotincludes first aiming the side view mirror to visualize the tail end ofthe car 1 and then tilting the mirror a "little bit" with the hope thatit will afford a view of the car 5 or other object located in the blindspot. The problem with this procedure is that as a rule there is notarget to aim at.

Another procedure is to adjust the side view mirror while driving. Inthis case, the driver must wait for a car 5 properly located in theblind spot, aim the side view mirror 4 at the moving car 5, and toexercise judgment, during which procedure his eyes must wander away fromthe road in front of him. This is an uncertain and hazardous procedure.

The same is true with respect to a side view mirror which is mountedoutside the vehicle in front and slightly to the right of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice which enables a driver to adjust accurately the side view mirrorwithout a subjective judgment and in a simple, reliable and safe manner.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparenthereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, brieflystated, in a device for adjusting a side view mirror of an automobile,which includes an auxiliary mirror arranged on the side view mirror andhaving a reflective surface inclined relative to the reflective surfaceof the side view mirror so that when the driver sees an image of atarget on the automobile body the line of sight of a driver looking inthe side view mirror is directed toward a required blind spot area nearthe automobile.

When the device is designed in accordance with the applicants'invention, the side view mirror is adjusted objectively, and in asimple, reliably and safe manner.

The device enables the driver to visualize a target provided on theautomobile by utilizing selected devices which are related to the sideview mirror itself. Such devices which are of an optical nature such asreflecting surfaces, are so conceived that when the driver adjusts theside view mirror to see the target on the automobile as mentioned above,the side view mirror itself concomitantly assumes the position thatenables the driver to see the desired region in the blind spot.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a method ofadjusting a side view mirror which includes providing an auxiliarymirror arranged on the side view mirror and having a reflective surfaceinclined relative to the reflective surface of the side view mirror sothat when the driver sees an image of a target on the automobile bodythe line of sight of a driver looking in the side view mirror isdirected toward a required blind spot area near the automobile.

It is to be understood that the proposed device can be used for sideview mirrors arranged at the left side and at the right side of anautomobile.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view which generally shows a traffic situation with two carsand areas which must be covered by a rear view mirror and a side viewmirror;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a perspective view of a device foradjusting a side view mirror in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the device for adjusting a side view mirror inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-7 are views showing a device for adjusting a side view mirror inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8-9 are views illustrating substantial differences in the areaseen in the side view mirror adjusted for the standard driver by driversdifferent from a standard driver, and also showing how these variationsbecome negligible after adjustment of the side view mirror in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows the relative position of the cars leading to the side viewimages shown in FIGS. 8-9; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are views showing the inventive device with two targets.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen from FIG. 2 a car 11 which is driven by a driver 12 isprovided with a side view mirror 13 which is pivotally mounted on thecar. The mounting is performed in such a way as to insure that the pivotis fixed with respect to the car, for example by means of bracket 14which is fixedly connected with the car and has a pivot 15 at its freeend for pivotally supporting the side view mirror 13. The side viewmirror 13 must be adjusted so that a standard driver 12, i.e., a driverof average stature sitting in a normal driving position, can see a blindspot area 16. In accordance with the present invention, a smallauxiliary mirror 17 is provided on the side view mirror 13, and a target18 is provided on the car 11, in a selected point of the car. Aball-and-socket pivot joint is shown in this Figure. However it is to beunderstood that other pivoting means can also be used.

The position of the auxiliary mirror 17 on the side view mirror 13 andthe position of the target 18 on the car are selected so that when theside view mirror is adjusted to a required area, in particular to theblind spot, the standard driver also sees the target 18 in the auxiliarymirror 17. The positions of the auxiliary mirror 17 and the target 18are to be selected and controlled when the device is installed on a car.

If for any reason the driver 12 does not see the target 18 in theauxiliary mirror 17, the driver 12 will adjust the side view mirror byrepositioning the side view mirror 13 until he will again see the target18 in the auxiliary mirror 17. Thus, in accordance with the presentinvention, he no longer needs to point the side view mirror to anadjacent lane or an uncoming car, but instead makes sure that the target18 is clearly seen in the auxiliary mirror 17 which is achieved in asimple, reliable and safe manner.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the device in accordance with thepresent invention. Here the car 11 is also provided with a target 28 andhas a side view mirror 23. The side view mirror 23 has a reflectingsurface 23' over its major area and a transparent portion in its smallerarea 23". An auxiliary mirror 27 is arranged behind the side view mirror23 so that its reflecting surface can be seen through the transparentportion 23" of the side view mirror 23. The device operates in the samemanner as the device shown in FIG. 2. A driver 12 adjusts the side viewmirror 23 so that he can see the target 28 in the auxiliary mirror 27.In this position the side view mirror covers the area of the blind spot.It will be understood that the reflective portion 27 can be the rearface of a prism of appropriate shape attached to the rear face of theside view mirror 23.

It is to be understood that the auxiliary mirror can be formed on theside view mirror in many different ways. It can be formed as anadditional part which is attached to the side view mirror byconventional methods, for example mechanical connections, chemicalbonds, etc. On the other hand, the auxiliary mirror can be formed ofone-piece with the side view mirror as an integral part of the latter.As can be seen in the drawings, the reflecting surface of the auxiliarymirror is inclined at a certain angle to the reflecting surface of theside view mirror so that when the side view mirror displays an image ofthe area of the blind spot, the auxiliary mirror displays the image ofthe target. As for the target, it can be also formed in many differentways, for example by making a mark on a body of the car, attaching anadditional part to the body of the car, or even using an existingelement of the body of the car, etc. To permit viewing of the target indarkness, a target illuminating means may be added. They can be formedas separate means directing light onto the target, or the target itselfcan be luminous or similar means visible in darkness.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In thisembodiment the size of the auxiliary mirror 37 which is rigidlyconnected to the side view mirror 33 is approximately equal to the sizeof the side view mirror and therefore covers it essentially in itsentirety. The side view mirror 33 is pivoted in a conventional way. Topermit its functioning in its accustomed way, the large auxiliary mirror37 has a very low reflectivity, for example 2-4%, that of standarduncoated glass, i.e., it is essentially transparent. Nevertheless, thisreflectivity is sufficient to permit clear visualization of the target18 on the car 11, a self-luminous one if necessary. The purpose of thelarge size of the auxiliary mirror is to permit one to find more readilythe image of the target on the car. The auxiliary mirror is providedwith a mark 31 which can be formed for example as a pair of cross-hairs.Subsequent adjustments of the side view mirror assembly to make theimage of the target 18 coincide with the mark 31 on the auxiliary mirrorwill accomplish the purpose of the invention. It will be understood thatthe partially reflective surface of the auxiliary mirror and the fullreflective surface of the side view mirror can be two surfaces of oneprism of appropriate shape.

The preceding embodiments are suitable for such side view mirrors whichare movable about a pivot point real or virtual located substantially inits own plane and fixed with respect to the car, and restricted fromrotating in its own plane.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 6-8,wherein FIG. 6 shows a working position of the side view mirror, FIG. 7shows the adjusting position of the side view mirror, and FIG. 8 shows aside view. The side view mirror 44a with a marker 57 is connected to abase plate 44b in a manner that allows the mirror 44a to assume selectedpositions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 with respect to the base plate 44b.This accomplished by means of the ball-and-socket joint mechanism 47 andtwo cams 48 and 49. These cams are rigidly connected at two selectedlocations to rotatable shaft 50 fixed with respect to the base plate 44bby means of appropriate posts 51. A handle 53 is also rigidly connectedwith the shaft 50 and is perpendicular to it. The moving handle 53 willcause the shaft 50 to rotate. The cams are so dimensioned that in theposition shown in FIG. 6 of the handle, the mirror 44a assumes a firstorientation with respect to the base 44b as shown in FIG. 6. Theposition of the mirror is completely determined by the position of theball-and-socket joint mechanism 47 and by two points of the contact ofthe mirror 44a with the cams 48 and 49. Contact between the mirror 44 aand the cams is maintained by an appropriate spring 56. These points ofcontact are indicated as D and E in FIG. 6 and D' and E' in FIGS. 7 and9, respectively. A stop 54 and a spring-loaded ball 55 fix the locationof the handle 53 corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 6.

When the handle 53 is rotated away from the stop 54, the cams 48 and 49rotate and the mirror 44a constrained by the spring 56 to contact thecams is displaced from the position shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 which forthe sake of simplicity depicts only one cam, shows the position of themirror 44a with respect to the base 44b when the handle 53 is rotated bya predetermined angle fixed by the stop 54' and the detent 55'. For afixed position of the base 44b, or in other words the position whichpermits a driver of the car to see a desired area in the blind spot withthe mirror 44a in the position shown in FIG. 6, it becomes necessary tohave two approximately perpendicular angular adjustments for the mirror44a with respect to the base 44b to enable the driver to see in themirror 44a the image of the auxiliary target 28 on the car 12 coincidingwith the marker 57 when he turn lever 53 from stop 54 (FIG. 6) to stop54' (FIG. 7). This is accomplished by the design of the cams 48 and 49.The action of these cams is shown in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated fromthis Figure that the difference in length of the two cams determines oneof the angles of the mirror 44a with respect to the base 44b, and thatthe angle in a generally perpendicular direction is determined by theaverage height of the cams 48 and 49 above the mirror 44a and by thedistance between the shaft 50 and the ball-and-socket joint mechanism47. The fixed angular relationship between the two mirror positions isselected when the inventive device is installed.

In practice, a driver moves the mirror 44a from the position shown inFIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7, and then displaces the wholeunit so that the target 28 (FIG. 6) on the car can be seen to coincidewith the marker 57 in the mirror 44a. Then, the driver snaps the mirror44a back to the position shown in FIG. 6 using lever 53. The mechanismsfor adjusting base plate 44b are subject to the identical conditionswhich hold for adjusting the side view mirror of the other embodiments.

It will be understood that many variations exist for this embodiment. Itshould also be mentioned that electrical means for adjusting the mirrorin this fashion can equally be used for obtaining the object of thisinvention. This applies in particular to those side view mirroradjustment mechanisms in which adjustment is obtained by electricalmotors controlled by pushbutton switches located on the dashboard of thecar. Additional preset electrical signals to the motors can be used toaccomplish the "flip-flop" movement.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the variations of the centers of the field seen bydrivers who are different from the standard driver and who have adjustedthe side view mirrors according to the present invention. Point A hereis the center of the field 61 selected by the standard driver in theblind spot, while points B, C, D and E are the centers of the fieldsseen by these other drivers after adjustment of the side view mirror.Also shown are the fields 62, 63, 64 and 65 centered around the pointsB', C', D' and E', as seen by these other drivers looking in the sideview mirror as left adjusted for the standard driver. The fields of view62, 63, 64 and 65 are those which are seen respectively in the side viewmirror by a driver who is 8 inches back from the standard position, adriver who is 8 inches forward of the standard position, a driver who is8 inches higher than the standard driver, and a driver who is 8 incheslower than the standard driver, respectively.

It can be seen from FIG. 9 and in better detail in FIG. 10, that aselected spot of the oncoming car 11" (FIG. 11) or another selectedpoint in the blind spot will only insignificantly deviate on the sideview mirror of the car provided with the inventive device, for driverswho are different from the standard driver or who are in positions whichare different from the standard position. The various fields of viewshown in FIGS. 9 and 10 were determined for the relative positions ofcars 11' and 11" shown in FIG. 11. It is understood that the appropriateregion of the blind spot to be visualized in the side view mirror varieswith the geometry of the car and the view afforded by the rear viewmirror. These changes will affect the details shown in FIG. 9, but willnot affect the overall usefulness of the device described.

The method of adjustment of the side view mirror in accordance with thepresent invention is suitable for side view mirrors having the followingcharacteristics:

the pivot point is fixed with respect to the car as mentioned earlier,and is located substantially in the plane of the mirror;

the side view mirror is free to move in its pivot, but is prevented fromrotating in its own plane.

In many present day side view mirrors the pivot is located substantiallyat the center and in the plane of the side view mirror and the movementsof the mirror are limited to rotations around two axes substantiallyperpendicular to each other.

In the embodiments heretofore described a single target on the car wasconsidered. The automobile, however, may be provided with more than onetarget thus enabling drivers to select areas in the blind spot that bestsuit their driving habits, traffic conditions or other considerationssuch as e.g. an object limiting the view afforded by the rear viewmirror.

FIG. 12 as well as FIG. 13 which shows a detail of FIG. 12 illustrate adevice with two targets 11 and 128 provided on the car 3.

The side view mirror A and auxiliary mirror B assemblies indicated onlyschematically in FIGS. 12 and 13, should be understood to be identicalwith any of the inventive embodiments of FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6. With theprovision of two targets the driver can visualize two different views ofthe traffic in the rear of his car according to various trafficconditions or other considerations. When the driver of the car 111orients the side view mirror to see target 128 in the auxiliary mirrorfor example, he sees the area indicated by 113' in FIG. 12 whichincludes car 114. When the driver of car 111 adjusts the side viewmirror so that it assumes the position shown by a broken line andidentified with reference numeral 112' and he sees the target 128, hevisualizes in the side view mirror the area 113 and the car 115 in thisarea. Car 114 is located in the blind spot area close to his car, whilecar 115 is located further in the rear of his car.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in adevice for adjusting a side view mirror of an automobile, it is notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made without departing in any way from thespirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A device for adjusting a side view mirror of an automobile,comprising an auxiliary mirror having a reflective surface which isarranged to be located behind a side view mirror and seen through atransparent portion of said side view mirror, said auxiliary mirrorhaving a reflecting surface inclined at an angle relative to thereflective surface of the side view mirror wherein said transparentportion of said side view mirror is considerably smaller than thesurface of said side view mirror, said auxiliary mirror being arrangedso that when said side view mirror is adjusted so that when the driverof the automobile sees an image of a target provided on an automobilebody on said reflective surface of said auxiliary mirror, the line ofsight of a driver looking in said side view mirror is directed toward arequired blind spot area near the automobile.
 2. A device for adjustinga side view mirror of an automobile, comprising an auxiliary mirrorarranged to be located on said side view mirror and being considerablysmaller than the side view mirror, said auxiliary mirror having areflective surface which is inclined relative to a surface of said sideview mirror so that when the driver of the automobile adjusts the sideview mirror so as to see an image of a target provided on an automobilebody in said reflective surface of said auxiliary mirror, the line ofsight of a driver looking in said side view mirror is directed toward arequired blind spot area near the automobile.
 3. A device as defined inclaim 2; and further comprising a target arranged to be provided on anautomobile body so that an image of said target is seen by the driver insaid position.
 4. A device as defined in claim 2, said auxiliary mirroris considerably smaller than the surface of said side view mirror.
 5. Adevice as defined in claim 2, and further comprising a second targetpositioned on an automobile body at a distance from said first mentionedtarget such that when the driver of the automobile sees said secondtarget in said part of the side view mirror then said side view mirroris directed toward a second desired area near said automobile.
 6. Amethod for adjusting a side view mirror of an automobile, comprising thesteps of providing a target on an automobile body; arranging on a sideview mirror an auxiliary mirror which is considerably smaller than saidside view mirror and has a reflective surface inclined relative to asurface of said side view mirror; and adjusting a side view mirror sothat when the driver of the automobile sees an image of said target onsaid reflective surface of said auxiliary mirror, the line of sight of adriver looking in said side view mirror is directed toward a requiredblind spot area near the automobile.
 7. A side view mirror assembly ofan automobile, comprising a side view mirror having a main reflectivesurface and a side to be located closer to the automobile in a mountedcondition; and an auxiliary mirror arranged on said side view mirror andbeing considerably smaller than said side view mirror, said auxiliarymirror having an auxiliary reflecting surface which is inclined relativeto said main reflective surface of said side view mirror so that saidauxiliary reflective surface of said auxiliary mirror faces toward saidside in the mounted condition, so that when a driver of the automobilesees an image of a target provided on an automobile body in saidauxiliary reflective surface of said auxiliary mirror the line of sightof a driver looking in said main reflective surface of said side viewmirror is directed toward a required blind spot area near theautomobile.
 8. A device for adjusting a side view mirror of anautomobile, comprising a support for movably supporting a side viewmirror relative to an automobile body; and means for supporting saidside view mirror turnably relative to said support between an adjustingposition and a final position, so that when said side view mirror is insaid adjusting position and said support is moved by a driver so that atarget provided on an automobile body is seen in said side view mirror,said side view mirror can then be turned by the automobile driver tosaid final position in which a line of sight of a driver looking in saidside view mirror is directed to a required blind spot area near theautomobile.